TRENING MATURZYSTY

POZIOM PODSTAWOWY

ROZUMIENIE TEKSTU CZYTANEGO - ZADANIA

Zadanie 1. (8 pkt)

Przeczytaj poniższy tekst. Na podstawie informacji zawartych w tekście, zdecyduj, które zdania (1-8) podane w tabeli są zgodne z treścią tekstu (TRUE), a które nie (FALSE). Zaznacz znakiem X odpowiednią rubrykę w tabeli.

The Low Down on England

Food

When people visit England, they often try an English breakfast. It's enormous! It has sausages, bacon, eggs, fried bread, baked beans, mushrooms and black pudding. Many people like black pudding - but the ingredients are pigs' blood and animal fat! But more English people don't eat traditional food very often. The most famous English meal is fish and chips, but the most popular food in England is curry!

Places

London is a very historic city. One of the oldest buildings in the city is the Tower of London. The Tower has a horrible history. Executioners killed many people there. Today, tourists visit the tower to see the Crown Jewels. Another historic building is the Houses of Parliament. It's a beautiful building, with a famous clock tower. The bell, 'Big Ben' is inside the clock tower. The bell rings loudly every hour.

Shakespeare

William Shakespeare lived over 400 years ago, but he is still England's most famous writer. What's amazing is he didn't come from a rich family and his father couldn't write!

English Superstitions

Why don't English people like to step on cracks in the pavement or walk under ladders? It's because they're superstitious. What do English superstitions mean?

Centuries ago, people thought that black cats belonged to witches, so they were a sign of evil. But if a black cat walks in front of you, it brings you good luck. Birds can also bring good or bad luck. There are six ravens at the Tower of London. But they mustn't fly away - it means the Tower is going to fall down. Be careful when you walk down the streets. Streets are full of bad luck! It's always bad luck to walk under a ladder. And you mustn't step on the cracks in the pavement. It brings bad luck. Actors don't like to say the name of Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth'. They think it means bad luck. The only way to stop bad luck is to turn in a circle and spit on the floor! Before a play, actors say 'break a leg'. This means 'good luck'! But why? People once believed in bad fairies called 'sprites'. If the sprites heard someone say 'good luck', they brought bad luck. People wanted to trick the sprites, so they said 'break a leg'!

Zadanie 2. (10 pkt)

Przeczytaj poniższy tekst. Na podstawie informacji zawartych w tekście zdecyduj, które zdania (1-10) podane w tabeli są zgodne z treścią tekstu (TRUE), a które nie (FALSE). Zaznacz znakiem X odpowiednią rubrykę w tabeli.

US Car Culture

Americans love cars. They go everywhere in them - to the shops, to school, to the burger joint. 85% of commuters in the US travel to work by car and there are more than 175 million licensed drivers! Why does this huge car culture exist?

How it started

America's love of cars started after the war when soldiers returned home from World War II to rebuild their lives. They got loans from the government to buy homes and cars which became status symbols. The more money you had, the bigger your car.

Creation of roads

During the war President Eisenhower noticed what good roads Germany had. He decided to build new four-laned roads in America. He said if there was an atomic attack the two-laned roads wouldn't be able to carry all the cars that would suddenly start leaving the cities. Car and oil companies liked his idea and building started.

Teenagers

Today, teenagers in America see owning a car as a status symbol. Ten years ago, young people begged their fathers to borrow the car for the evening. Now, teens expect to be given a car for their 16th birthday present when they are legally allowed to drive - two years earlier than teenagers in Britain. They see having a car as the start of adulthood and a ticket to freedom: the ability to travel around safely, see friends away from mom and dad, play music - it's almost a place they can call their own! But some teens break the law and drive when they're under 16 which can be dangerous. And believe it or not, there are some schools that have competitions for the most powerful and most beautiful cars.

Adults

It's not just teenagers who are crazy about cars. Some Americans love their cars so much they decorate them with paint, lights, plastic statues - anything! These are called Art Cars and every April there is a parade in Houston, Texas where they show their whacky creations!

Lowriders

Some people rebuild old cars into 'lowriders'. These started in Los Angeles in the 1920s. Car bodies are lowered to a few centimeters off the ground and special tubes are added under the car so it can hop and bounce. The cars are often painted and there are competitions for the best cars.

Pollution

The large number of cars has had a bad effect on the environment. Last year President Bush rejected a global anti-pollution law and many countries were angry. Bush said he had to think of the American economy and all the American people who make money from cars. Factories say they want to make cars that pollute less - but others say that will never be the same as having fewer cars.

Cars in film and literature

America's car craze has also become a strong theme in US cinema and literature. One of the most famous books from the late 1950s is Jack Kerouac's On The Road. Jack left university early and travelled America's roads. He wrote about his experiences in this novel and inspired many other students to do the same. As for film, the list of road movies is endless. Thelma and Louise and Road Trip both feature big car journeys across America. Looks like cars are here to stay!

(adapted from www. Iink2english.com)

Zadanie 3. (6 pkt)

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Overweight people are overfeeding their pets and putting their animals' health at risk. A report says a quarter of dogs and cats in the western world are obese. As with humans this puts them at risk of heart disease and other health problems. The 400-page report by the National Research Council, based in the United States, is aimed at scientists, pet food makers and veterinarians but also provides advice for pet owners. Cats need meat in their diet, whereas dogs can get along on balanced vegetarian diets. The report notes that in the wild, cats will catch and eat eight to 12 small animals or birds every day. Feeding of cats should reflect this - with 12 to 20 small meals being offered through the day. The report says: " Any dog owner, on the other hand, knows that his or her dog can eat its 24-hour energy need in just a few minutes at a single meal." Both species need to be offered plenty of fresh water and cat owners need to take special care to encourage their pets to drink. "About 30 per cent to 40 per cent of dogs and cats will overeat and be overweight if allowed to eat as much as they want at all times during the day," the report adds. It advises feeding overweight pets a little less at each meal, or offering low-calorie or less tasty food. The report says that if a dog's ribs cannot be felt, it is probably overweight. Cats should have a slight waist but not a round belly.

Zadanie 4. (3 pkt)

Przeczytaj uważnie fragment poniższej biografii znanego brytyjskiego pisarza. Z podanych odpowiedzi wybierz właściwą, zgodną z treścią tekstu. Zaznacz jedną z czterech możliwości za­kreślając literę A, B, C lub D.

Roald Dahl has been one of Britain's most enduring authors of children's fiction. He has written two books about his childhood and growing up and they are called 'Boy' and 'Going Solo'.

Roald Dahl was born in LLandaff in Wales on September 13th 1916. His parents Harald and Sofie came from Norway. He had four sisters, Astri, Affhild, Else and Astra, and sadly his father died when he was three years old. He was very close to his sisters and mother.

He went to Repton School in Derbyshire. He was brilliant at sport and loved boxing and squash but did not enjoy his other studies. His English teacher wrote on one report that 'Roald could not write down his thoughts on paper'. This is obviously not the case because he went on to be a wonderful writer for both adults and children.

After school, Dahl went to Newfoundland and started work for Shell as a salesman. He was 23 when World War 2 broke out and he joined the Royal Air Force in Nairobi. Being a pilot was dangerous and Dahl had a bad crash in the desert. Although he recovered he always walked with a limp for the rest of his life.

After the war, Dahl went to America and was based at the British embassy in Washington. He started to write stories including one called the Gremlins. Walt Disney wanted to make it into a film but it was never finished. He married twice, once in America in 1953 when he married the actress Patricia Neal, and again in 1983 when he married Felicity Crosland. Patricia and Roald moved to England and bought Gypsy House in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire. They had five children, Olivia, Tessa, Theo, Ophelia and Lucy. Olivia sadly died aged seven. He used to tell bedtime stories to his children and these became the books he is now so famous for writing. In 1967 two of his books 'James and the Giant Peach' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' were published.

Roald wrote all his stories from a hut in his garden. He didn't type and he used a pencil and paper. On the walls were family photos, drawings and mementoes including one of his arthritic hipbones...

(adapted from www.buclscc.gov.uk)

4.1. Roald Dahl's family...

1. consisted of 6 people when he was 5.

2. came from a Scandinavian country.

3. lived very close to his mother's sister.

4. moved to Wales when his father died.

4.2. As a student Roald ...

1. was particularly interested in writing poetry.

2. he was not very fluent at writing essays.

3. was not keen on physical exercises.

4. was expected by his teachers to become a writer.

4.3. When the World War II ended, Roald Dahl...

1. worked as a British ambassador in the US.

2. cooperated with Walt Disney adapting his short stories into fdms.

3. moved to England with his first wife and children.

4. now he is most famous for his books for children.

Zadanie 5. (3 pkt)

Przeczytaj uważnie poniższy tekst. Z podanych odpowiedzi wybierz właściwą, zgodną z treścią tekstu. Zaznacz jedną z czterech możliwości zakreślając literę A, B, C lub D.

Gremlins

Deep in the Amazon jungle live creatures, small enough to fit in your hand, that spend their days in the world of the rainforest and their nights in hollow tree trunks. Beloved by the local Satare Maue Indians, who live alongside them, marmosets and tamarins are the world's smallest monkeys. These animals, some never seen before, are the subject of the NATURE program GREMLINS: FACES IN THE FOREST. Marmosets and tamarins are monkeys, but they're nicknamed "gremlins" for their appearance and their bad behaviour. During World War II, British Royal Air Force pilots whose airplanes did not work well often blamed accidents on gremlins - tiny, mythical creatures that supposedly caused mechanical difficulties regularly, but who were also capable of making something work when it appeared broken. These legendary creatures so captivated pilot Roald Dahl that he chose them as the subject for his first published book, THE GREMLINS, in 1943. More recently, the magical animals appeared in the 1984 movie GREMLINS, produced by Stephen Spielberg.

Spread throughout parts of South and Central America, marmosets and tamarins do sometimes fight among themselves over territory, but more often they live peacefully.

The Satare Maues believe that these monkeys are the reincarnations of their dead children, and tame marmosets and tamarins are common pets among Satare Maue women and children. Some carry the monkeys on their heads, where the animals perform a useful service by eating their head lice.

(adapted from www.pbs.org)

5.1. The tiny animals which live in the Amazon jungle are...

1. called Satare Maue.

2. the world's smallest monkeys.

3. unknown to people outside the Amazon jungle.

4. perfect pets for all children.

5.2. Gremlins are the creatures who...

1. do not exist in reality.

2. caused aeroplane accidents during the World War II.

3. captured pilot Roald Dahl.

4. are very aggressive and frequently fight over their territory.

5.3. Satare Maues Indians believe that...

A) women and children can be reborn in the shape of the gremlins.

2. it is impossible to tame and train a marmoset or tamarind.

3. these little monkeys can eat human heads.

4. their dead children's souls can reincarnate as a marmoset or tamarind.

Zadanie 6. (3 pkt)

Przeczytaj uważnie poniższy tekst opisujący szlaki turystyczne. Z podanych odpowiedzi wybierz właściwą, zgodną z treścią tekstu. Zaznacz jedną z czterech możliwości zakreślając literę A, B, C lub D.

The Ridge and Lake Circle Trail

The Lake Circle Trail, which takes about half an hour, winds down to and around the perimeter of Grand Etang Lake. In addition to allowing outstanding views of the lake itself, which is so stunning that it really cannot be missed, this trail winds down through trees bedecked with hibiscus and the island's many varieties of wild orchids, which grow on the trees for support.

Mt. Qua Qua Trail

One of the central mountains of Grenada's interior range, Mt. Qua Qua rises to a height of over 720m. The trail to and along its ridge passes by Grand Etang Lake and then rises up to the higher altitudes, cooler temperatures, and elfin mountain forests of the upper slopes. Hiking the trail takes about an hour and a half, with frequently steep and sometimes slippery sections that require some caution. One of the primary attractions of this walk, in addition to the panoramic prospects available from its occasional clearings, is that it provides a comprehensive introduction to the varied plant and animal life of both the rainforest and mountain ecosystems of Grand Etang.

Seven Sisters Trail

So named because it passes by seven of Grand Etang's beautiful mountain waterfalls, which are

nestled in the profuse emerald vegetation of the rainforest. The trail takes about three hours, even for

experienced hikers, but for those who are up to it the Seven Sisters is well worth the effort. Starting

in an area of banana and nutmeg cultivation, the trail quickly plunges into some of the most attractive

virgin forest on the island. As this hike can be difficult, the accompaniment of a guide is

recommended.

(adapted from www.grenada.org)

6.1. The Ridge and Lake Circle Trail...

1. is the shortest of all the trails available for tourists.

2. gives the opportunity of some less challenging mountain climbing.

3. may be easily missed as it winds up and around the lake.

4. offers the tourist some marvellous views of the nearby orchards.

6.2. Mt. Qua Qua Trail...

1. leads from the lake to the upper parts of the mountains.

2. takes a lot of time and effort even of the experienced climbers.

3. is famous for its easily changeable weather conditions.

4. does not include a wide range of tropical species due to its specific ecosystem.

6.3. Seven Sisters Trail...

1. is located among seven mountains hence its name.

2. even the most eager tourists find this trail extremely hard and tiring.

3. leads through the dense tropical forest from start to finish.

4. is so difficult that it is advisable to hire a mountain guide.

Zadanie 7. (8 pkt)

Przeczytaj uważnie poniższe streszczenia artykułów (1 - 8). Do każdego z nich dopasuj jeden ty­tuł (A - J), wpisując odpowiednią literę przy numerze. Dwa tytuły nie pasują do żadnego frag­mentu.

A THE FUTURE OF MOBILE TELEPHONING

B HANGING OUT IS GOOD FOR YOU

C MISS UGLY BEATEN AT LAST

D KIDDIE COMMUNICATIONS

E ICE AFTER DEATH

F DIAMONDS ARE GIRLS' BEST FRIENDS???

G POPULAR CHILDREN SHOW GETS HIV CHARACTER

H COLOUR CODED FOR HEALTH

I SOBER PROMS

J SCHOOL LEAVERS CAUGHT DRUNK IN A LIMO

1.

More boys than ever are buying jewellery - not for their girlfriends, but for themselves. Boys are twice as likely as girls to buy jewellery. They wear jewellery in order to look like their favourite stars. Celebrities like David Beckham or P Diddy are proud of their earrings, watches and bracelets. Beckham particularly likes wearing diamonds.

(adapted from TEAM No 1, Sept/Oct 2004)

2.

This is the coolest beauty contest ever! The ugliest person wins. Every September the town of Egremont in Cumbria, UK holds its famous International Gurning Championships. Gurning is the art of pulling the ugliest face. There are competitions for men, women and children. A few years ago 53-year-old Anne Woods, the woman who had won the title for 24 years, was furious when she was beaten into second place. Anne insisted she was uglier than the winner.

(adapted from CLUB No 1, Sept/Oct, 2004)

3.

There are about 4.7 m people in South Africa who are HIV positive. This is more than any other country in the world. In order to educate South Africa's children about the virus, the South African version of the childrens show SESAME STREET introduced the show's first HIV positive character last year. The character named Kami is an orphan girl puppet. She will teach kids about the disease and that HIV positive people are the same as everyone else.

(adapted from CLUB, No 2, Nov/Dec, 2003)

4.

Young children may have mobile phones soon. Even if they are too young to read the numbers on a key pad or even talk, they could communicate with mum and dad at the touch of the button. Possible designs include an ordinary mobile phone with only three buttons - parents can programme in an important phone number to each button.

(adapted from CLUB, No 4, March 1999)

5.

We all know that vegetables are supposed to be good for us, but did you know that their colour tells us how they can improve our health? Generally, the darker vegetable, the more healthy it is. if you want to protect your healthy cells from damage, then you should eat deep yellow and orange

vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and red peppers. Red tomatoes are favourites for the possible reduction of some forms of cancer.

(adapted from CLUB, No 4, March 1999)

6.

1000 people worldwide including 100 from Britain have signed up to have their bodies frozen after death in the hope that some time in the future technology will be able to revive and rejuvenate them. It costs 18,000 pounds and the world's biggest cryonics company is in California. One man has been frozen since 1967.

(adapted from CURRENT No 5, May/June 2003)

7.

Until now, teenagers who hang around shopping centres have annoyed adults, but experts have other ideas. Apparently, hanging out - wandering purposelessly around your local shopping centre -is good for your social development. It may be vital for teenage interaction; meeting up with your friends in the town centre is an important stage on the path to adulthood.

(adapted from CURRENT No 5, May/June 2003)

8.

While an increasing number of British schools are copying American high schools and organising lavish proms (summer parties for school leavers), some American schools are banning limousines and asking parents to drive their sons and daughters to school for the prom. This is an attempt to stop teenage drinking. Although dressed in tuxedos and ball gowns 18-year-old school leavers are forced to be controlled by their parents and teachers. American police have recently threatened to prosecute the parents of under-age drinkers.

(adapted from CURRENT No 5, May/June 2004)

Zadanie 8. (7 pkt)

Przeczytaj uważnie poniższe recenzje filmów (A - G). Następnie odpowiedz na pytania (1 - 7)

podane w tabeli, wpisując odpowiednie litery w kratki obok każdego pytania.

Film reviews

A. THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW is a disaster movie about the effects of extreme global
warming. Special effects team created huge hurricanes, tidal waves and earthquakes for
this film. A weather expert, Professor Jack Hall, tries to save the world and his son who is
trapped in the second Ice Age in NY.

B. DIE ANOTHER DAY was filmed in Hawaii, Hong Kong, Spain, Iceland and London. In
the story there is the machine that can change people's faces. James Bond is trying to catch
Zoa, a North Korean general. This is the most action-packed James Bond film ever!

C. SIGNS is the film where Mel Gibson plays a farmer called Graham Hess who finds a huge
crop circle on his farmland. He tries to find out the truth behind them. His discoveries
change his life and his family. The film is really scary but emotional and funny, too.

D. X2 is the sequel to X-MEN and now there are even more mutants than in the first part.
There are also more battles between good and evil mutants. The actors who played mu-

tants had to spend 4 hours in make-up each day. It is generally scarier and more exciting than the first film.

E. THE LADYKILLERS is a film about a professor who organises a group of thieves to rob
a New Orleans riverboat casino. They rent a room in an old lady's house because they want
to dig a tunnel from her house to the casino's safe. However, the old lady discovers their
plan and they decide to kill her. This isn't as easy as it seems.

F. 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS is a film which features groups of young people racing their cars
through busy cities after they have modified them so they can go faster. Since the release
of the film many teens have tried to copy the stars of the film and have been killed. There
are fears that this film will become the part of underground youth culture.

G. MATRIX REVOLUTIONS. Reloaded and Revolutions are one big movie cut in half. The
action takes place over a 24 hour period. Revolutions start exactly where Reloaded fin­
ished. There is a big war between the humans and the machines.

(adapted from CLUB, No 2, 2003; TEAM, No 1, 2004; No 4, 2000; No 3, 2003; No 6, 2003;

No 2, 2002; No6, 2004)

Which film

Zadanie 9. (7 pkt)

Przeczytaj uważnie poniższe fragmenty artykułu (1 - 7). Do każdego z nich dopasuj jedno py­tanie (A - I), wpisując odpowiednią literę przy numerze. Dwa pytania nie pasują do żadnego fragmentu.

A Have you ever seen the film „Ali"?

B Did he win all his fights?

C How did Ali fight for the rights of African-Americans?

D What does Ali do now?

E How did Muhammad Ali become a boxer?

F Why did Ali become a legendary hero?

G Why did people love Ali so much?

H Why doesn't Ali cure his illness?

I Why did Ali change his name?

1.

Muhammad Ali is a legend. He was a great boxer and he had a magical personality but he also stood up for the rights of African-Americans in the USA.

2.

He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr on January 17 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. When some kids stole his bicycle, Ali decided he needed to be able to stand up for himself so he started boxing.

3.

At the age of 21, AH was inspired by human rights activist Malcolm X to become a Muslim and he changed his name from Casius Clay to Muhamad Ali.

4.

Ali finally retired in 1981 with 59 victories and only 5 defeats. At 18 he became an Olympic Gold medalist in the 1960 Rome Olympics. Then, he became a professional boxer. In 1964 he beat Sonny Listen and Ali became the Heavyweight Champion of the World. One of his biggest fights was against George Foreman in 1974 where he used his speed and intelligence to beat the younger and stronger boxer.

5.

Ali was a graceful and powerful boxer but people were also interested in Ali because of his personality. He was boastful and funny. He often wrote poems about himself and his fights.

6.

In the 1960 there was a lot of racism in the southern states of the USA. When a waitress in a cafe didn't serve Ali because he was black, he was very angry. He threw his Olympic gold medal into a river. He didn't want to represent his country because it was racist.

7.

Sadly, Ali has had Parkinson's disease since 1982. Doctors believe that he got the disease because of boxing. But Ali doesn't regret boxing. He is interested in world's politics and he likes helping people.

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